Multi function travel-friendly workstation with cooling and ventilation

Abstract

An ergonomically designed space saving, collapsible multi-function travel-friendly modular workstation for supporting a broad range of electronic systems, reading materials and the like for users while standing, sitting or on-the-go, and fits in anywhere, anytime is presented. The workstation comprises a support unit, telescopic rod and tripod and is designed to provide needed cooling and ventilation for electronic systems, support healthy postures, and complete comfort and versatility of a multi-function workstation with all the important things needed when working at a desk, thereby improving a user's comfort when using the workstation. Further, the workstation is designed for easy transportation, storage and set up, as well as provide a versatile workspace for a user in many different environments, for everyday use such as note taking, writing, reading, presentations, performing arts and rehearsing while playing a musical instrument, music or conductor stand, etc.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A modular workstation comprising:
 a first sub-assembly module comprising:
 an upper housing comprising an open interior cavity and a top surface; 
 a lower housing; said lower housing comprising an open interior cavity and a bottom surface; 
 a hinge mechanism interconnecting said upper housing and said lower housing, said hinge mechanism configured to allow said upper housing to be rotated relative to said lower housing; 
 a self-locking tilt mechanism comprising a tilt mechanism and a self-locking mechanism, said self-locking tilt mechanism configured to angularly orient and lock said upper housing relative to said lower housing in a collapsed position and a plurality of angular positions; 
 an anti-skid mechanism comprising a substantially planar retaining platform configured to inhibit an object resting on said upper housing from leaving said upper housing when said upper housing is in any of said plurality of additional angular positions; 
 a cooling and ventilation system; 
 a power management system; and 
 a first module mating connector; 
 wherein said upper housing and said lower housing together define an enclosed interior cavity when said support unit is in said collapsed position; 
 wherein said top surface and said bottom surface are generally parallel when said support unit is in a collapsed position; 
 
 a second sub-assembly module comprising a collapsible telescopic rod, said collapsible telescopic rod comprising;
 a base telescoping member; 
 a top telescoping member configured to be slidably moveable relative to said base telescoping member, said base telescoping member; 
 a load bearing positive locking mechanism assembly for locking and releasing said base telescoping member relative said top telescoping member; and 
 a second module mating connector; and 
 
 a third sub-assembly module comprising:
 a collapsible tripod including:
 a stationary leg assembly comprising: a tubular housing having top and bottom ends and a vertical axis; and a tubular telescopic leg assembly rigidly attached to said bottom end of said tubular housing; 
 a first moveable leg assembly comprising:
 a tubular barrel cam comprising: top and bottom ends and a vertical axis; and a cam track; 
 a tubular connector; and 
 a tubular telescopic leg assembly rigidly attached to said bottom end of said tubular barrel cam via said tubular connector; 
 
 a second moveable leg assembly comprising:
 a tubular barrel cam comprising: top and bottom ends and a vertical axis; and a cam track; 
 a tubular connector; and 
 a tubular telescopic leg assembly rigidly attached to said bottom end of said tubular barrel cam via said tubular connector; and 
 
 a guide pin extending through a hole in said tubular housing of said stationary leg assembly and engaging said cam tracks of said first and second tubular barrel cams so that rotation of said tubular telescopic leg assemblies of said first and said second moveable leg about a common axis causes said tubular barrel cams of said first and second moveable leg to move vertically upward or downward; and 
 
 a third module mating connector; 
 
 wherein said first module mating connector, said second module mating connector, and said third module mating connector are configured to releasably interconnect said first sub-assembly, said second sub-assembly, and said third sub-assembly to form said modular workstation assembly. 
 
     
     
       2. The modular workstation of  claim 1  wherein said first module mating connector, said second module mating connector, and said third module mating connector are also configured to releasably interconnect into sub-configurations comprising any two of said first sub-assembly, said second sub-assembly, and said third sub-assembly. 
     
     
       3. The modular workstation of  claim 1  wherein said retaining platform spans an entire width of said upper housing. 
     
     
       4. The modular workstation of  claim 1  wherein said anti-skid mechanism further comprises a front end for positioning adjacent to a user, a back end opposite said front end, top and bottom surfaces, and opposite side ends, said front end of said retaining platform comprising at least one hinge arm. 
     
     
       5. The modular workstation of  claim 4  wherein said hinge arm comprises an outer ring connected by a plurality of radial spokes to an inner ring comprising a central aperture. 
     
     
       6. The modular workstation of  claim 5  wherein said front end further comprises a hinge end. 
     
     
       7. The modular workstation of  claim 1  wherein said anti-skid mechanism nests in a shallow recess on said top surface. 
     
     
       8. The modular workstation of  claim 1  wherein said hinge mechanism is also configured to allow said anti-skid mechanism to be angularly oriented relative to at least one of said upper housing and said lower housing. 
     
     
       9. The modular workstation of  claim 1  wherein said first sub-assembly further comprises a carrying handle. 
     
     
       10. The modular workstation of  claim 1  wherein said first sub-assembly further comprises a retractable mouse pad. 
     
     
       11. The modular workstation of  claim 1  wherein said power management system comprises a plurality of power sources, an active power status indicator, a battery level indicator, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       12. The modular workstation of  claim 1  wherein said load bearing positive locking mechanism is removably housed within a recess at a top end of said base telescoping member. 
     
     
       13. The modular workstation of  claim 1  wherein said collapsible telescopic rod further comprises a spring configured to assist the extension of said telescopic rod. 
     
     
       14. The modular workstation of  claim 1  wherein said third module mating connector comprises: a U-shaped race-like internal annular channel disposed coaxially inside and circumscribing an inner diameter of said tubular housing. 
     
     
       15. The modular workstation of  claim 14  wherein said third module mating connector locks and coaxially couples said telescopic rod to said tripod such that said telescopic rod is in fluid communication with said tripod.